used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading What first attracted their attention was a beautiful meadow, enamelled with a variety of charming flowers; and butterflies, whose wings were of various colours, hovered over its surface.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The children who lived near her were one day permitted to ramble about the fields, when Caroline accompanied them, and led the way.
having companions or an escort
From this reading The children who lived near her were one day permitted to ramble about the fields, when Caroline accompanied them, and led the way.
anew
From this reading The little ladies amused themselves with hunting these butterflies, which they dexterously caught without hurting them; and, as soon as they had examined their beauties, let them fly again.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading All this triumph and consequence, however, met with many mortifying circumstances.
pleasantly occupied
From this reading The little ladies amused themselves with hunting these butterflies, which they dexterously caught without hurting them; and, as soon as they had examined their beauties, let them fly again.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading All this triumph and consequence, however, met with many mortifying circumstances.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The little ladies amused themselves with hunting these butterflies, which they dexterously caught without hurting them; and, as soon as they had examined their beauties, let them fly again.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading What first attracted their attention was a beautiful meadow, enamelled with a variety of charming flowers; and butterflies, whose wings were of various colours, hovered over its surface.
past form of “attract” — direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes
From this reading What first attracted their attention was a beautiful meadow, enamelled with a variety of charming flowers; and butterflies, whose wings were of various colours, hovered over its surface.
beautiesnounUS /ˈbjuːtiz/
plural of “beauty” — the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading The little ladies amused themselves with hunting these butterflies, which they dexterously caught without hurting them; and, as soon as they had examined their beauties, let them fly again.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading What first attracted their attention was a beautiful meadow, enamelled with a variety of charming flowers; and butterflies, whose wings were of various colours, hovered over its surface.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading Of the flowers that sprung beneath their feet they made nosegays, formed in the prettiest taste.
butterfliesnounUS /ˈbʌtərflaɪz/
plural of “butterfly” — diurnal insect typically having a slender body with knobbed antennae and broad colorful wings
From this reading What first attracted their attention was a beautiful meadow, enamelled with a variety of charming flowers; and butterflies, whose wings were of various colours, hovered over its surface.
CarolineadjectiveUS /ˈkerəlaɪn/
of or relating to the life and times of kings Charles I or Charles II of England
From this reading The children who lived near her were one day permitted to ramble about the fields, when Caroline accompanied them, and led the way.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading The little ladies amused themselves with hunting these butterflies, which they dexterously caught without hurting them; and, as soon as they had examined their beauties, let them fly again.
pleasing or delighting
From this reading What first attracted their attention was a beautiful meadow, enamelled with a variety of charming flowers; and butterflies, whose wings were of various colours, hovered over its surface.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading The children who lived near her were one day permitted to ramble about the fields, when Caroline accompanied them, and led the way.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading All this triumph and consequence, however, met with many mortifying circumstances.
coloursnounUS /ˈkʌlərz/
a distinguishing emblem
From this reading What first attracted their attention was a beautiful meadow, enamelled with a variety of charming flowers; and butterflies, whose wings were of various colours, hovered over its surface.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading All this triumph and consequence, however, met with many mortifying circumstances.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The children who lived near her were one day permitted to ramble about the fields, when Caroline accompanied them, and led the way.
dexterouslyadverb
with dexterity; in a dexterous manner
From this reading The little ladies amused themselves with hunting these butterflies, which they dexterously caught without hurting them; and, as soon as they had examined their beauties, let them fly again.
enamelled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What first attracted their attention was a beautiful meadow, enamelled with a variety of charming flowers; and butterflies, whose wings were of various colours, hovered over its surface.
past form of “examine” — consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning
From this reading The little ladies amused themselves with hunting these butterflies, which they dexterously caught without hurting them; and, as soon as they had examined their beauties, let them fly again.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Of the flowers that sprung beneath their feet they made nosegays, formed in the prettiest taste.
United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)
From this reading The children who lived near her were one day permitted to ramble about the fields, when Caroline accompanied them, and led the way.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading What first attracted their attention was a beautiful meadow, enamelled with a variety of charming flowers; and butterflies, whose wings were of various colours, hovered over its surface.
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading What first attracted their attention was a beautiful meadow, enamelled with a variety of charming flowers; and butterflies, whose wings were of various colours, hovered over its surface.
travel through the air; be airborne
From this reading The little ladies amused themselves with hunting these butterflies, which they dexterously caught without hurting them; and, as soon as they had examined their beauties, let them fly again.
having or given a form or shape
From this reading Of the flowers that sprung beneath their feet they made nosegays, formed in the prettiest taste.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The little ladies amused themselves with hunting these butterflies, which they dexterously caught without hurting them; and, as soon as they had examined their beauties, let them fly again.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The children who lived near her were one day permitted to ramble about the fields, when Caroline accompanied them, and led the way.
hoveredverbUS /ˈhʌvərd/
past form of “hover” — be undecided about something; waver between conflicting positions or courses of action
From this reading What first attracted their attention was a beautiful meadow, enamelled with a variety of charming flowers; and butterflies, whose wings were of various colours, hovered over its surface.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading All this triumph and consequence, however, met with many mortifying circumstances.
the pursuit and killing or capture of wild animals regarded as a sport
From this reading The little ladies amused themselves with hunting these butterflies, which they dexterously caught without hurting them; and, as soon as they had examined their beauties, let them fly again.
hurtingnounUS /ˈhɜːrtɪŋ/
a symptom of some physical hurt or disorder
From this reading The little ladies amused themselves with hunting these butterflies, which they dexterously caught without hurting them; and, as soon as they had examined their beauties, let them fly again.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Of the flowers that sprung beneath their feet they made nosegays, formed in the prettiest taste.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading What first attracted their attention was a beautiful meadow, enamelled with a variety of charming flowers; and butterflies, whose wings were of various colours, hovered over its surface.
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading The little ladies amused themselves with hunting these butterflies, which they dexterously caught without hurting them; and, as soon as they had examined their beauties, let them fly again.
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading The children who lived near her were one day permitted to ramble about the fields, when Caroline accompanied them, and led the way.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading The little ladies amused themselves with hunting these butterflies, which they dexterously caught without hurting them; and, as soon as they had examined their beauties, let them fly again.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The little ladies amused themselves with hunting these butterflies, which they dexterously caught without hurting them; and, as soon as they had examined their beauties, let them fly again.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading The children who lived near her were one day permitted to ramble about the fields, when Caroline accompanied them, and led the way.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Of the flowers that sprung beneath their feet they made nosegays, formed in the prettiest taste.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading All this triumph and consequence, however, met with many mortifying circumstances.
meadownounUS /ˈmedoʊ/
a field where grass or alfalfa are grown to be made into hay
From this reading What first attracted their attention was a beautiful meadow, enamelled with a variety of charming flowers; and butterflies, whose wings were of various colours, hovered over its surface.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading All this triumph and consequence, however, met with many mortifying circumstances.
mortifyingadjective
causing to feel shame or chagrin or vexation
From this reading All this triumph and consequence, however, met with many mortifying circumstances.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading The children who lived near her were one day permitted to ramble about the fields, when Caroline accompanied them, and led the way.
nosegays
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of the flowers that sprung beneath their feet they made nosegays, formed in the prettiest taste.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading What first attracted their attention was a beautiful meadow, enamelled with a variety of charming flowers; and butterflies, whose wings were of various colours, hovered over its surface.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The children who lived near her were one day permitted to ramble about the fields, when Caroline accompanied them, and led the way.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading What first attracted their attention was a beautiful meadow, enamelled with a variety of charming flowers; and butterflies, whose wings were of various colours, hovered over its surface.
inflected form of “permit” — consent to, give permission
From this reading The children who lived near her were one day permitted to ramble about the fields, when Caroline accompanied them, and led the way.
prettiestadjectiveUS /ˈprɪtiəst/
superlative of “pretty” — pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading Of the flowers that sprung beneath their feet they made nosegays, formed in the prettiest taste.
rambleverbUS /ˈræmbəl/
continue talking or writing in a desultory manner
From this reading The children who lived near her were one day permitted to ramble about the fields, when Caroline accompanied them, and led the way.
in the near future
From this reading The little ladies amused themselves with hunting these butterflies, which they dexterously caught without hurting them; and, as soon as they had examined their beauties, let them fly again.
sprungverbUS /sprʌŋ/
inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading Of the flowers that sprung beneath their feet they made nosegays, formed in the prettiest taste.
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading What first attracted their attention was a beautiful meadow, enamelled with a variety of charming flowers; and butterflies, whose wings were of various colours, hovered over its surface.
To perceive flavor through the mouth.
From this reading Of the flowers that sprung beneath their feet they made nosegays, formed in the prettiest taste.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Of the flowers that sprung beneath their feet they made nosegays, formed in the prettiest taste.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The children who lived near her were one day permitted to ramble about the fields, when Caroline accompanied them, and led the way.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading What first attracted their attention was a beautiful meadow, enamelled with a variety of charming flowers; and butterflies, whose wings were of various colours, hovered over its surface.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The children who lived near her were one day permitted to ramble about the fields, when Caroline accompanied them, and led the way.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading The little ladies amused themselves with hunting these butterflies, which they dexterously caught without hurting them; and, as soon as they had examined their beauties, let them fly again.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading The little ladies amused themselves with hunting these butterflies, which they dexterously caught without hurting them; and, as soon as they had examined their beauties, let them fly again.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The little ladies amused themselves with hunting these butterflies, which they dexterously caught without hurting them; and, as soon as they had examined their beauties, let them fly again.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading All this triumph and consequence, however, met with many mortifying circumstances.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The children who lived near her were one day permitted to ramble about the fields, when Caroline accompanied them, and led the way.
a successful ending of a struggle or contest
From this reading All this triumph and consequence, however, met with many mortifying circumstances.
varietynounUS /vərˈaɪəti/
a collection containing a variety of sorts of things
From this reading What first attracted their attention was a beautiful meadow, enamelled with a variety of charming flowers; and butterflies, whose wings were of various colours, hovered over its surface.
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading What first attracted their attention was a beautiful meadow, enamelled with a variety of charming flowers; and butterflies, whose wings were of various colours, hovered over its surface.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading What first attracted their attention was a beautiful meadow, enamelled with a variety of charming flowers; and butterflies, whose wings were of various colours, hovered over its surface.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The children who lived near her were one day permitted to ramble about the fields, when Caroline accompanied them, and led the way.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The children who lived near her were one day permitted to ramble about the fields, when Caroline accompanied them, and led the way.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What first attracted their attention was a beautiful meadow, enamelled with a variety of charming flowers; and butterflies, whose wings were of various colours, hovered over its surface.
at the time that
From this reading The children who lived near her were one day permitted to ramble about the fields, when Caroline accompanied them, and led the way.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The little ladies amused themselves with hunting these butterflies, which they dexterously caught without hurting them; and, as soon as they had examined their beauties, let them fly again.
which person or people
From this reading The children who lived near her were one day permitted to ramble about the fields, when Caroline accompanied them, and led the way.
belonging to which person
From this reading What first attracted their attention was a beautiful meadow, enamelled with a variety of charming flowers; and butterflies, whose wings were of various colours, hovered over its surface.
a means of flight or ascent
From this reading What first attracted their attention was a beautiful meadow, enamelled with a variety of charming flowers; and butterflies, whose wings were of various colours, hovered over its surface.
in the company of; together with
From this reading All this triumph and consequence, however, met with many mortifying circumstances.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading The little ladies amused themselves with hunting these butterflies, which they dexterously caught without hurting them; and, as soon as they had examined their beauties, let them fly again.
